West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-09-16
HAEPER's FERRY LETTER.


itOrs have departed, and Harper's
Ferry, like "some banquet hall de-
serted" is consigned to a compare
tive solitude, the more noticeable by
contrast with the hustle and activity
of the last three months. But the
surroundings are not the less lovely,
and, like a beautiful young widow,
our village is but the more interest
ing for the loneliness. Barring such
terrible heat as we experienced last
summer, and which must have been
intOlerable in large cities, we know
no reason why the early Fall should
not be chosen for the enjoyment of
such scenery rs this place presents,
when the cool, crisp air invites to
outdoor exercise and uninterrupted
communion with Nature. Every
season has got its own peculiar at
fractions, but the contemplative
mind-and all minds should be So
discovers in the mature beauties
of Autumn q charm none the less
agreeable perhaps to many for the
solemn warning they give that the
year, like everything appertaining
to this transitory condition, is pass
ing away" and that, like its prede-
cessOrs, it will soon be lost with all
its joys and griefs, its love and en-
mites in the boundless eternity of
which it is so small fraction. 1t
is early vet to distinguish the char
acteristic Fall, although the sun is
now shorn Of much power and
beams with q milder, calmer splen-
dor like a warrior monarch satiated
with glory and voluntarily abdicat
ing much of his absolute sway, as
the passions and ambitions of youth
subside. As we write it is one Of
those bright, cool, ideal-Autumn
days. We are in near view of the
Blue Ridge with the delicate, mystic
veil from which it derives its name,
and we can see through the majestic
aisles of the grand old forest that
clothes with verdure its rock-ribbed
sides and rugged summit. The
leaves have y mere suggestion Of the
inevitable decay that awaits them
and of the ill-omened though eX-
quisitelv beautiful flush which in n
/ few weeks will herald the speedy
dissolution of their glories. At our
feet the silvery ripplcs Of the now
peaceful rivers dance and trolic in
the sunbeams, and we are almost
lulled to sleep with the drowsy hum
ofinsects-children of the departing
summer To view the scene, one
might suppose that there was no sin,
no sorrow. no strife nor contention
/ on this earth. and it is hard to real
ize that, just twenty-five years ago,
warning hosts confronted one an
other, where now all is so tranquil,
and that the death dealing cannon
and rifle strewed the most beautiful
Of Natures handiwork with mutlla-
ted images Of Natures God. But
so it was, and on that lovely Sep
tember day the sun shone as bright
~ as if no immortal souls were as
cendiug unassailed from a field Of
carnage to the throne of TIE great
Arbitei, and the gentle tide kissed
the banks rs softly as if they were
not tinged with the hearts blood of
diving heroes. And there will be
/ Just such glorious days when per-
haps all records Of that war and of
| the people who waged it shall have
/ disappeared from the earth. There
/ is no remembrance Of former things;
neither shall there be any remem-
brance of things that are to come
with those that shall come after
and little as we may feel tiattered by
it, WE, too, Of this mighty nation
may well anticipate the oblivion
that envelopes so many naughty en-
pires that have preceded us. But,
bless our soul. whittier have we
straved forgetful Of our prescribed
limits? Like our countryman, Sterne,
we are constantly striking off into
sentimental episodes, but pardon us
this time and we promise You for
next week the funniest thing you
ever read, if it be true that the soul
of wit is brevity.
The most important news from
Harper's Ferry this week is the pos
tive assurance that we are to have
newspaper in a few days, and no
mistake this time. tits TO be called
"The Harper's Ferry Independent"
and we sincerely hope the title will
be no misnomer. We do not feel at
liberty to give the names of those
who are to conduct it. About the
time of the establishment of the
newspaper the ladies Of the place
will have completed their labors of
collecting funds for the purchase Of
street-lamps, and when the two en-
terprises are accomplished there
will not be q fool at Harpers Ferry,
taking the word Of Solomon, for no
one will "walk in darkness" mental
or otherwise.
4 few days ago Il tramp, whose
name VIC did not ascertain, was
brought to this place prisoner and
lodged in our Jail for night. He
was accused of having set obStruc-
-, ~, tie rnilrnnd somewhere in